The following are upcoming archdiocesan events -- including a reflection with Bishop John Steinbock, the 10th annual public policy breakfast, the San Lorenzo Ruiz celebration, a retreat for peacemakers, presentations on stem cell research, and a justice and peace assembly.

Bishop Steinbock at Mater Dolorosa: Sept. 22
Bishop John Steinbock of Fresno will facilitate two sessions at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre Sept. 22.

The sessions will be based on Bishop Steinbock's recollections and reflections on ten years of ministry at three parishes in East Los Angeles and 11 years in ministry at the old St. Vibiana Church in downtown Los Angeles. The bishop, ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1963, wrote of his experiences in the book "Ministry of Presence, Vignettes of Skid Row and East L.A. Mnistry."

The morning session takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch provided, and the evening session is 6-10 p.m. with refreshments served. A free will donation will benefit Catholic Charities in Fresno. Each session will include Mass, a talk by Bishop Steinbock and an opportunity for confession.

The retreat center is located at 700 North Sunnyside Ave. To register call (626) 355-7188.

Public policy breakfast: Sept. 23
This year's 10th annual public policy breakfast with Cardinal Roger Mahony will focus on "Facing Homelessness: National Perspective, West Coast Solutions" Sept. 23, at the St. Vincent's Cardinal Manning Center in downtown Los Angeles.

While last year's breakfast focused on local homelessness, this year's gathering will examine successes of other West Coast cities in addressing the issue. Guest panelists include Michael Denunzio, of the San Francisco Counsel to End Homelessness; San Diego's Jonathan Hunter, California Director for the Corporation for Supportive Housing; Jan Perry, LA City Councilmember from the 9th district; and Peter Steinbrueck, Seattle City Councilmember. Jan Breidenbach, executive director of the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing, will serve as moderator.

The breakfast, 8-10 a.m., is sponsored by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Proceeds from the $25 per person donation will benefit the Cardinal Manning Center, a shelter for homeless persons. Register by Sept. 20 by calling (213) 637-7690.

San Lorenzo Ruiz celebration: Sept. 25
The fifth annual archdiocesan celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz takes place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis will serve as main celebrant. San Lorenzo, a layman, is the first Filipino saint who was martyred in 1637 in Japan for refusing to renounce his Christian faith.

Youth for Christ will dramatize the life of San Lorenzo. The event is sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Filipino Ministry and affiliated groups, including Filipino-American Catholic Renewal Community, El Shaddai DWXI-Prayer Partners Foundation International, and Couples of Christ and its Family Ministries.

Retreat for peacemakers: Oct. 2
"Practical Spirituality for Peacemakers," a retreat sponsored by Pax Christi Southern California, will take place Oct. 2 at Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alhambra.

The day of reflection will be led by Dr. Gerard Vanderhaar, founder of Pax Christi USA and author of numerous books including "Beyond Violence: In the Spirit of the Non-Violent Christ." The retreat will include sessions on nonviolence in one's personal every day life and nonviolence in the public square.

Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. and a concluding liturgy begins at 4 p.m. The fee is $15 pre-registration or $20 at the door. Participants should bring bag lunch; drinks will be provided. To register, call Cathleen Crayton, (909) 621-1727.

Stem cell research and moral questions:
Oct. 1-3
Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, a renowned Catholic neuro-scientist, theologian and ethicist, will offer three separate evening presentations on the scientific and moral issues surrounding stem cell research and cloning.

Father Pacholczyk will speak at St. Mel Church Activity Center in Woodland Hills Oct. 1 (7 p.m.) and at St. Philip the Apostle Church Parish Hall in Pasadena Oct. 2 and 3 (6:30 p.m.). The priest's Oct. 3 talk will be geared toward teenagers.

The priest, director of education for the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Yale University, will present the medical benefits derived to date from adult stem cell research versus embryonic stem cell research.

Father Pacholczyk's presentations are timely as Californians decide whether or not to vote for Proposition 71, a Nov. 2 ballot initiative to have the state fund embryonic stem cell research, said Sarah di Cicco, chair of the Respect Life Ministry at St. Philip's. She called his talk "fascinating" as well as "logical, thoughtful and understandable." It will help voters make an informed decision, she added.

St. Mel is located at 20870 Ventura Blvd. and St. Philip is at 151 S. Hill Ave.

Justice and Peace assembly: Oct. 16
Parishioners, clergy and religious involved or interested in social justice ministry at the parish level are invited to attend an archdiocesan-wide Justice and Peace Assembly Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Loyola Marymount University.

The assembly follows five focus group meetings conducted during the summer in which 260 people from 103 parishes shared their successes and challenges with parish-based social justice ministry.

Sponsored by the archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission, the assembly will feature a keynote speaker, a report back from the focus groups and recommendations from the Office of Justice and Peace, implementation steps of the Synod pastoral initiative on social justice, skill building workshops, networking opportunities and referrals to resources.

It's a day to be "motivated, inspired and helped," said Joan Harper, program coordinator for the Office of Justice and Peace.

The assembly will take place at the auditorium of LMU's St. Robert Hall. Participants should bring a lunch or plan to buy one. To register, call (213) 637-7550.